Popular, Yes, But At What Cost To Thailand?

[webfact]

EDITORIAL

Popular, yes, but at what cost to the country?

The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Opinion polls show the government maintaining widespread support in the Northeast due to its populist policies, but complacency could lead to future economic trouble

The latest survey of its popularity should remind the government not to be complacent. The survey was conducted by Khon Kaen University's E-saan Centre for Business and Economic Research (ECBER), and shows that the Pheu Thai-led administration still commands the support of nearly 72 per cent of the people in the Northeast.

The survey is the third since the government of Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra took office, and was conducted from February 29 to March 3 among 1,084 respondents in 20 northeastern provinces. It was found that 72.1 per cent of the respondents were happy with the government's general performance, while 27.9 per cent were not happy.

Of all the respondents in the Northeast, 65.8 per cent said that they were satisfied with the government's performance on political and democratic development, while 34.2 per cent were not. On social issues and the government's efforts to tackle crime and fight drug trafficking, 65.8 per cent of the respondents gave approval to the government's performance so far.

However, the government barely passed the test when it came to economic performance and quality of living, with 50.9 per cent saying they were happy, but 49.1 per cent saying they were not.

The government may have been complacent since its overwhelming election victory last July, and with these poll results, which show that a majority of people in the Northeast supports it. Still, it must be remembered that the region is a vote stronghold for the Pheu Thai Party. Nonetheless, it is interesting to note that while the government has so far implemented many populist policies to respond to the needs of rural people in the Northeast, the approval rate has dropped from the previous survey in January. This should serve as a warning that although northeastern people broadly let the government pass the poll test in all areas, the high approval rating cannot be guaranteed.

The Pheu Thai Party has pledged to implement all the populist policies that it promised to voters during the election campaign, such as the rice subsidy programme, fuel subsidies, and the new women's development fund. But it remains to be seen whether these policies will produce satisfactory results. For instance, there is a serious question on whether the rice subsidy programme - in which prices are guaranteed at above market rates - will truly benefit the majority of farmers in the long term.

This is not to say that the government's days are numbered. Far from it. In fact, the government has so far received strong political support and is likely to be able to stay in office for a prolonged period.

As the latest survey suggests, on the political front the government is likely to sail through contentious issues such as the proposed charter amendments. Opponents of this move have so far failed to gather enough strength to stage a forceful protest against the government. In fact, the Pheu Thai Party has so far played its hand well and has managed to avoid triggering widespread political opposition.

However, the ECBER survey suggests that the government has failed to make its supporters satisfied with its economic performance, in spite of the massive amount of money so far pledged to assist grassroots people in the North and Northeast.

There are still many challenges and possible pitfalls for the government if it wants to continue to maintain its popularity at this level. This is reflected in the fact that 62.6 per cent of the poll respondents called on the government to tackle the rising prices of fuel and consumer goods.

It's easy for the government to implement these populist policies in order to gain political support at the grassroots level, but the harder task is to ensure that they do not result in longer-term negative results. It's the purse of the voters that counts, but there is also the risk of long-term damage to the country's economic fundamentals.

-- The Nation 2012-03-09

[Bagwan]

I suggest that the Flat Earth Society move their Head Office to gullible e-saan.

[CalgaryII]

Popular, yes, but at what cost to the country^1

How is that for putting a negative spin to positivity.

"BANGKOK: -- Opinion polls show the government maintaining widespread support in the Northeast due to its populist policies"

I'm sure there are a lot of reasons for this, other than populist policies.

All the same reasons that got them elected, and the coupist originated Opposition 'unelected'.

I notice the first Post in this thread accentuating one of the main reasons, and that is the continuing arrogance of the Opposition and its' holier-than-thou politics. To call e-saan voters gullible, suggests they have no political awareness and are idiots.

Well,..... who is the Government with a majority, and who is on the sidelines, thereby begging the question - who are the idiots.

Edited March 9, 2012 by CalgaryII

[whybother]

Popular, yes, but at what cost to the country^1

How is that for putting a negative spin to positivity.

"BANGKOK: -- Opinion polls show the government maintaining widespread support in the Northeast due to its populist policies"

I'm sure there are a lot of reasons for this, other than populist policies.

All the same reasons that got them elected, and the coupist originated Opposition 'unelected'.

I notice the first Post in this thread accentuating one of the main reasons, and that is the continuing arrogance of the Opposition and its' holier-than-thou politics. To call e-saan voters gullible, suggests they have no political awareness and are idiots.

Well,..... who is the Government with a majority, and who is on the sidelines, thereby begging the question - who are the idiots.

Do you really want an answer to that question?

[sparebox2]

In general, most people choose to sin (gamble, drink, smoke, sex, etc) rather than religion.

[DocN]

In general, most people choose to sin (gamble, drink, smoke, sex, etc) rather than religion.

seriously, dude...you have to stop!

[hellodolly]

Interesting they have such a high percentage in every area except carrying out their populist policies.

I wonder if the survey was taken among the field hands. Or probably people in collage.

What kind of controls were used on these polls.

With no controls you can get any result you want.

And as noted here earlier there are those eagerly awaiting them no matter how far from reality they are.

[mowgus]

In general, most people choose to sin (gamble, drink, smoke, sex, etc) rather than religion.

It came as a shock to me the other day when a Thai friend informed me that you are not allowed to drink in Buddhist religion. Is there enough room in Naraka for all of Thailand?!

[hyperdimension]

As I've said in other previous discussion threads, the Pheu Thai party had no hesitation in making huge promises, despite the financial consequences of the country such as debt and inflation. In particular, the raises to the minimum wages are significant. The tablet PC is also an attractive gift that can be touched and held, unlike other less tangible financial assistance. I am certain that more people based their votes on these populist policies than on political ideology like anti-coupism or democracy, because even with "true democracy" there is no guarantee that the people will be wealthier in terms of money or material things.

Pheu Thai's promises were so huge that it would have been foolish for the Democrats to try to outbid them just to increase their share of the votes, and I would have been critical of them if they did so. Now that Thaksin / Pheu Thai have succeeded in their main goal of re-taking power via huge populist promises, they are faced with the dilemma of honoring such promises. If they don't implement any of the promises, they will be widely criticized for having made false promises just to get elected. If they do fully implement all promises, the country may sink into financial trouble, with Greece being a current example of what could happen.

Edited March 9, 2012 by hyperdimension

[hyperdimension]

The same exact poll should be conducted in all other provinces. The results may be vastly different.

[trainman34014]

As I've said in other previous discussion threads, the Pheu Thai party had no hesitation in making huge promises, despite the financial consequences of the country such as debt and inflation. In particular, the raises to the minimum wages are significant. The tablet PC is also an attractive gift that can be touched and held, unlike other less tangible financial assistance. I am certain that more people based their votes on these populist policies than on political ideology like anti-coupism or democracy, because even with "true democracy" there is no guarantee that the people will be wealthier in terms of money or material things.

Pheu Thai's promises were so huge that it would have been foolish for the Democrats to try to outbid them just to increase their share of the votes, and I would have been critical of them if they did so. Now that Thaksin / Pheu Thai have succeeded in their main goal of re-taking power via huge populist promises, they are faced with the dilemma of honoring such promises. If they don't implement any of the promises, they will be widely criticized for having made false promises just to get elected. If they do fully implement all promises, the country may sink into financial trouble, with Greece being a current example of what could happen.

Try asking a Thai about the situation in Greece and see if they even know where it is, let alone anything to do with the financial problems there. Even if you were kind enough to spend hours explaining the details and telling them it could happen to Thailand as a result of PT policies do you think they would give a rats arse? Thai's are interested in what goes into their pockets,not about the World and its woe's, and as long as anyone keeps telling them they are going to get more they will keep believing it at the expense of all else.

[anterian]

What is it with polls and Thais, they seem to have one every week?

[animatic]

What is it with polls and Thais, they seem to have one every week?

It's the only way they know who gained or lost face at the top levels.

[hyperdimension]

As I've said in other previous discussion threads, the Pheu Thai party had no hesitation in making huge promises, despite the financial consequences of the country such as debt and inflation. In particular, the raises to the minimum wages are significant. The tablet PC is also an attractive gift that can be touched and held, unlike other less tangible financial assistance. I am certain that more people based their votes on these populist policies than on political ideology like anti-coupism or democracy, because even with "true democracy" there is no guarantee that the people will be wealthier in terms of money or material things.

Pheu Thai's promises were so huge that it would have been foolish for the Democrats to try to outbid them just to increase their share of the votes, and I would have been critical of them if they did so. Now that Thaksin / Pheu Thai have succeeded in their main goal of re-taking power via huge populist promises, they are faced with the dilemma of honoring such promises. If they don't implement any of the promises, they will be widely criticized for having made false promises just to get elected. If they do fully implement all promises, the country may sink into financial trouble, with Greece being a current example of what could happen.

Try asking a Thai about the situation in Greece and see if they even know where it is, let alone anything to do with the financial problems there. Even if you were kind enough to spend hours explaining the details and telling them it could happen to Thailand as a result of PT policies do you think they would give a rats arse? Thai's are interested in what goes into their pockets,not about the World and its woe's, and as long as anyone keeps telling them they are going to get more they will keep believing it at the expense of all else.

I agree. Yet we have people here like CalgaryII trying to convince everyone that the Thai people voted the way they did because of their hatred of the coup and the old establishment, and those of us who disagree with such a view are being "disrepectful" of the Thai people.

[h90]

As I've said in other previous discussion threads, the Pheu Thai party had no hesitation in making huge promises, despite the financial consequences of the country such as debt and inflation. In particular, the raises to the minimum wages are significant. The tablet PC is also an attractive gift that can be touched and held, unlike other less tangible financial assistance. I am certain that more people based their votes on these populist policies than on political ideology like anti-coupism or democracy, because even with "true democracy" there is no guarantee that the people will be wealthier in terms of money or material things.

Pheu Thai's promises were so huge that it would have been foolish for the Democrats to try to outbid them just to increase their share of the votes, and I would have been critical of them if they did so. Now that Thaksin / Pheu Thai have succeeded in their main goal of re-taking power via huge populist promises, they are faced with the dilemma of honoring such promises. If they don't implement any of the promises, they will be widely criticized for having made false promises just to get elected. If they do fully implement all promises, the country may sink into financial trouble, with Greece being a current example of what could happen.

Try asking a Thai about the situation in Greece and see if they even know where it is, let alone anything to do with the financial problems there. Even if you were kind enough to spend hours explaining the details and telling them it could happen to Thailand as a result of PT policies do you think they would give a rats arse? Thai's are interested in what goes into their pockets,not about the World and its woe's, and as long as anyone keeps telling them they are going to get more they will keep believing it at the expense of all else.

Please note there are also other Thais than bar girls. They know Greece and discuss about the financial meltdown of Europe and if Israel starts a war with Iran.

Trust me such Thais exist, just you want meet them in Soi Nana.